David H. Caldwell
David H. Caldwell is a Scottish archaeologist.
Personal life
David is the son of Alexander Caldwell, a maritime pilot, and Dorothy Caldwell. He was born on 15th December 1951 in Kilwinning. On 9th September 1975 he married Margaret Anne McGovern. Together, they had three children: Helen in June 1983, Barbara in April 1985, and Michael in February 1991.[1]
Education
David H. Caldwell went to school at Ardrossan Academy, Ayrshire. He then studied archaeology at Edinburgh University, graduating with a degree in the field, then gaining a PhD there on the early use of guns in Scotland.[2][3]
Career
National Museum of Scotland
Caldwell worked for the National Museums of Scotland for 38 years in a curatorial role, then as Keeper of Archaeology and Keeper of Scotland and Europe, before retiring in 2012.[4][2]
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
He was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1971.[3] He was President of the Society from 2014 to 2020.[5] As of November 2025 he is an honorary fellow of the Society.[3]
Society of Antiquaries of London
He was made a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1998.[6][1]
Fieldwork
Finlaggan
David H. Caldwell directed a major archaeological project at Finlaggan in Islay on behalf of the National Museums of Scotland from 1989 to 1998.[3][7][8] His excavations demonstrated that this was a high status site. The medieval archaeology of Finlaggan covered the whole period.[7] David H. Caldwell's book, The Archaeology of Finlaggan, Islay confirms that Finlaggan was the centre of power of the Lordship of the Isles, a quasi-independent state of political and cultural importance in the 14th and 15th centuries. His work also revealed the existence of an unnamed castle from the 12th and 13th centuries, with a stone keep on Eilean na Comhairle and various buildings, including a great hall, enclosed in a timberwork defence around Eilean Mor.[8][7]
Selected publications
- Caldwell, D. (1979) The Scottish Armoury. Edinburgh: Blackwood. ISBN 978-0-85158-131-6
- Caldwell, D. (1981) Scottish Weapons and Fortifications, 1100-1800. J. Donald. ISBN 978-0-85976-047-8
- Caldwell, D. (1982) Angels, nobles and unicorns. Edinburgh: National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. ISBN 978-0-9503117-1-5
- Caldwell, D. (1998) Scotland's Wars and Warriors. Stationery Office. ISBN 978-0-11-495786-5
- Caldwell, D. (2010) The Lewis Chessmen Unmasked. National Museums of Scotland. ISBN 978-1-905267-46-0
- Caldwell, D. (2011) Islay, Jura and Colonsay A Historical Guide. Birlinn. ISBN 978-1-912476-54-1
- Caldwell, D. (2014) The Lewis Chessmen New Perspectives. National Museums of Scotland. ISBN 978-1-905267-85-9
- Caldwell, D. (2017) Islay. The Land of Lordship. Birlinn. ISBN 978-1-78027-465-2
- Caldwell, D. (2018) Mull and Iona. A Historical Guide. Birlinn. ISBN 978-1-78027-525-3
- Caldwell, D, Olesky, V, Rhodes, B. (2023) The Battle of Pinkie, 1547. Oxbow Books. ISBN 978-1-78925-973-5
- Caldwell, D. (2025) The Archaeology of Finlaggan, Islay. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. ISBN 978-1-908332-36-3
References
- 1 2 "Caldwell, David H. 1951– | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
- 1 2 "Dr David Caldwell – 'The Lewis Chessmen' | EAFS". Retrieved 2026-04-05.
- 1 2 3 4 Pentecost, Sally (2024-07-09). "Dr David Caldwell". Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
- ↑ McDerment, Fiona (2024-08-16). "IBF2024 Author Spotlight: David Caldwell". Islay Book Festival. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
- ↑ "Presidents". Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
- ↑ "Dr David Caldwell". Society of Antiquaries of London. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
- 1 2 3 "Case Study 12: Finlaggan | The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework". Retrieved 2026-04-05.
- 1 2 julianne@socantscot.org (2025-09-17). "New Society Books Reveals Forgotten Medieval Kingdom and Nameless Royal Castle on Islay". Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Retrieved 2026-04-05.